Mini Seizure

I had a small seizure this evening around 10:55PM. Meowmy is concerned, because Phenobarbital had been working so well for me, and now I have had a breakthrough seizure. This is after getting the report from my vet just today, that my Phenobarb blood level was up a bit due to me losing some weight.

I sensed the seizure monster trying to get me, so I bolted out of the bedroom to get away. Meowmy found me on the living room floor next to the wall with Belle staring at me. I was on my side with my tail poofed out, and my tail and the floor were a bit wet. I got up on my feet fairly quickly, but I was confused and unsteady, and my breathing was labored. Fortunately this phase passed in just a few minutes, and I was soon walking around. However, Meowmy could tell I was upset from the way I yowled for awhile. I hate the seizure monster!

Mathis der Meowler

Celebrating 12 Years With My Meowmy

Today is my 12th Gotcha Day anniversary.

Twelve years ago today was an unusually hot autumn day in southern California, so meowmy went outside to water some plants. That’s when she spotted me under a rosebush. I was very skinny and had sunken eyes. Meowmy immediately put out some food and water for me. For the next 3 weeks, I kept coming back and meowmy fed me. But when November came, it started getting cold. She could see that I was shivering out there—even during the day. So on November 15th, meowmy trapped me and brought me into her playroom. She began getting me medical care for an upper respiratory tract infection and ear mites. I began to feel better and better, and in January 1998, I finally figured out that meowmy was my friend. I am devoted and grateful to my meowmy, and she loves me.

I have had some medical issues over the years. First of all, I have epilepsy. Then I had some lung problems caused by my first anti-seizure drug. This past August, my checkup showed that I’m in the earliest stage of diminished kidney function, and a couple weeks ago, I had an isolated episode of dizziness. Fortunately, I am now doing well again. I may be meowmy’s “wuss puss,” but I have a strong will to survive. I love my meowmy, and I have a lot to live for.

So today is my 12th Gotcha Day, and we are celebrating my life at my house. Each day is a gift, and our Catster friends are blessings. Purrs to you all!

Sincerely,
Mathis der Meowler

P.S. We are sending lots of purrs to Calvin and Stinky. We love you!

Daily Diary Pick!

Wow! I’m a Daily Diary Pick today! Thank you Catster HQ for this honor!

It has been a lovely day. A number of sweet kitties came by to see me. Thank you for all the presents and well wishes. It has been over a week since my vertigo episode, and I have had no further problems since then. It warms my heart to know that so many Catsters care about me. Your friendship means more than you can know. Purrs to you all!

Sincerely,
Mathis der Meowler

More Questions Than Answers

First of all, I want you to know that I seem to be back to normal. I would like to thank all the beautiful kitties who have been purring for me, and I thank the families of Orkney and Jolan for the Power of the Paw rosettes. Your love and concern mean a lot to me.

Although I seem to be fine now, we do not know what caused my vertigo, balance problems and quivering eyes. Meowmy was immediately concerned about a stroke, but fortunately that was not the case. A second concern was seizure. After all, I do have epilepsy, and I used to have horrible grand mal seizures when I was young. Since being on phenobarbital, I have been seizure-free for 9 1/2 years. Meowmy was concerned about me suddenly having break-through seizures, but this episode lasted much longer than any of my previous seizures. Another explanation for my symptoms is some sort of inner ear problem. Or there may some other neurological issues besides seizures. You see, I have never been a very coordinated cat. My balance, eye tracking and eye reflexes are not as good as most kitties’. When meowmy found me almost 12 years ago, I was so emaciated, weak and unhealthy, that it’s hard to know what all is going on with me.

We are hoping this was just an isolated incident, but meowmy is keeping a close eye on me. Meowmy and I had a lovely cuddle session this morning, and I purred a lot. This is a good sign, because I don’t purr if I’m not feeling well. (See my diary entry: “The Gift of a Purr.”) I’m looking forward to my 12-year Gotcha Day celebration on October 24th. After such a rough start in life, meowmy never expected to have me this long. We know that every day is precious. I am thankful to be back to my “normal” self, and I am grateful for the love of my family and all my caring friends on Catster. Purrs to you all!

Sincerely,
Mathis der Meowler

Meowmy Is Worried About Me

Meowmy is worried about me. She took me to the emergency vet today. About 11:30 this morning, I couldn’t stand or walk straight. I kept falling over to one side. Also, meowmy says my eyes were quivering. The vet kept me for observation & tests. The tests showed nothing wrong, so I got to come home this evening. Meowmy says I’m acting normally again, but I’m still a bit tipsy in tricky situations. Meowmy is keeping an eye on me. She is worried about me.

Mathis der Meowler

Meowmy Woofed at Me!

Meowmy woofed at me (in her sleep).

I love my meowmy, and she loves me. I like to sleep right next to her at night. This morning I was curled up by meowmy's face, and she was sleeping on her side with her arms cradling me. About the time the sun was coming up, meowmy was having a dream. She dreamt that she was jogging on the campus of California State University Northridge and ended up at the intersection of Nordhoff St. and Lindley Ave. As she was waiting for the traffic signal to change, a mid-sized animal came out from under a bush and confronted her. For several moments it was a standoff. Meowmy couldn’t get the creature to back off, so she barked at it like a dog. However in reality, she barked out loud—waking me as well as herself. I was immediately at attention and staring at her. When meowmy realized she had woofed at me, she started to giggle and gave me lots of reassuring cuddles. My meowmy loves me, and I love her.

Purrs,
Mathis der Meowler

Zack (August 15, 1995—May 16, 2009)

Zack was a good friend, mentor and “big bro” to me. When I first saw Zack on Catster, I was immediately attracted to his handsome silver-gray face. (I am partial to gray kitties!) Then I found out that Zack suffered from occasional seizures—just as I did when I was younger. At that moment, I knew we were destined to become special friends. And friends we became. I looked up to Zack as a role model and caring brother. Zack watched out for me in life, and now he is watching over me from the Rainbow Bridge. I miss you my buddy. I love you Zack.

Sincerely,
Mathis der Meowler

Hurricane Pets Rescue Needs Our Help!

Dear readers of my diary,

Hurricane Pets Rescue needs our help to stay alive. Perhaps you remember that HPR was the group that helped save Aldo and Noelle. I hope that you will join the Hurricane Pets Rescue Catster Group as well as donate to the Hurricane Pets Rescue March Fundraiser. The lives of many kitties and doggies are at stake.

Sincerely,
Mathis der Meowler

Happy Valentine's Day Meowmy!

There is a saying comparing dogs and cats that goes like this:

Dog’s view—
She feeds me, she takes care of me, she loves me; therefore she must be a god.

Cat’s view—
She feeds me, she takes care of me, she loves me; therefore I must be a god.

Well, this adage may apply to all my furblings, but it does not pertain to me! You see, I am a humble kitty. I am grateful to my meowmy for rescuing me when I was starving and weak. When I used to have grand mal seizures, meowmy was by my side watching over me until I regained consciousness. When I had breathing problems, meowmy was always patient with me. And now in times of good health, my meowmy is always gentle with me. My meowmy loves me and protects me, and for that I love her.

Happy Valentine’s Day Meowmy!

Purrs,
Mathis der Meowler

Cat of the Day!

Life is good! I started out the morning with a wonderful cuddle in bed with my Meowmy. She had the day off, so we had time for a leisurely snuggle. Then we got up and found out that I had been named Cat of the Day! OMC! Thank you Catster for this high honor!

This is truly an exciting day! Many friends have come by to see me and have given me presents or sent paw mails! I have also met some new beautiful kitties today! Over the past year and a half, I have made some cherished, supportive friends on Catster. Thank you to you all for the love and care that you give!

The outpouring of gifts and praise has been almost overwhelming! I would like to thank all of you who stopped by to congratulate me on this special day! Here are the fabulous friends who helped me celebrate!

Boogers (rainbow star), Wally, Sir Alfie, Nikki, Sydney Rose, TeddyBearz & Wally Angel (diamond), Zack, Harry, Riley, Jack, Enzo Furrari, Hannah, Stinky, Sophie, Xerox, Angus MacFangus, Annabelle, Cary, Kate, Queso, Copy, Sissy, Wally, Lily, Ivy, Charlie, Matilda, Bubba, Pete, Emme, Violet, Claire, Kira, DC, Lucy, Griffin, Larke & Dalton (2 diamonds), Sampson, Teddy & Sir Nigel (diamond), Mouse, Fuzz, Sushi & Sophie (diamond), Hailey (gold star), Snowy, Queenie, Toby, Oupie, Jonty, Rosie, Amelia Rose, Jules Vern Jr., Captain Gizmo & Scottie Squirrel (diamond), Gromit, Hudson & Isis (autumn leaf), Karma Kitty, Charlie Clarence, Punkin Pooh & Bobbi Boi (pie), Smudge (gold cup), Salsa, Ninja, Athene, Mole’, Diva, Cara Mia, Lily, Smudge, Mocha, Java, Valentino, Kismet, Loki, Kachina, Ancho, GP Blakewood Serenade of Xocol, GC Blakewood Puttin’ontheRitz, Jade’s Aurora & Blakewood Nutmeg of Xocol (autumn leaf), Oscar, Friggy, Meshew, Skully, Fred, Prancer-Bob & Frankie (pie), Geneva (cornucopia), Hattie (gold cup), Arnold P. (blue ribbon), Aldo, Tess, O’Malley, Squeaky, Thomas, James Tailer, Miss Jazzie, Zane Gray, Bebe, Sweetie & Theodore (heart), Edgar, Emily Felicity, Gabrielle & Lucinda (turkey leg), Hannah (heart), Dalton (blue ribbon), Alfie & TeddyBearz (sunglasses), Cannoli (Pilgrim hat), Wanda, Norman, Tess, Rupert, Mitchell, Beckie, Fay, Princess, Harvey, Bess, Lewis, Einstein, Mama Kitty, Lilly, Blackie, Patti, Nikki, Frankie, Freddie, Marie, Sunni, Roxanne, Rosie, Bob, Jesse & Babes from Texas (sunglasses), Bondi, Felix Mendelssohn, Fanny Mendelssohn, Junior, Frederic Chopin, Anna Magdalena Bach, Andrea Previn, Andantina, Arpeggia, Acceleranda, Allegretta, Adagio, Crescendo & Capella (blue ribbon), Gwendolyn Glingle & Sven (turkey), Pumpkin Puss (turkey leg), Hooch (turkey), Margo, R.K.N. (blue ribbon), Ko, Taz, Jacob, Flinders, Susie, Boots & Orvis (blue ribbon), Miles (turkey), Miracle Paws (blue ribbon), Toffy & Vanessa (blue ribbon), Chelsea Louise (sunglasses), Jobél, Jillian, Jasper & Zoe (football), Sir Sonny Bono (paw mail), Sugarpuss (paw mail), Anna (paw mail), Isabelle Love (paw mail), Mojo (paw mail), Buddie (paw mail), Sable (COTD Forum post)

Thank you to all you Catsters who visited me as Cat of the Day! Purrs to you all!

Sincerely,
Mathis der Meowler